The Lake Washington Education Support Professionals (LWESP) union is in the process of bargaining a new contract with the school district.  Negotiations occur every three years and the latest contract expired in August. 

As there are many questions regarding the issues being bargained, LWESP is providing the following information to help our community understand what exactly is being requested. 

LWESP is seeking what is called a Living Wage. A Living Wage is compensation ample enough to allow a person to live in and be a contributing member of the community in which they work. At present, wages for LWESP fall well below this level and many members are dependant on second or third jobs to supplement their income just to make ends meet. 

For those members who do not have additional sources of income, their LWESP salary is such that their children qualify for the free and reduced lunch program in our district. The majority of LWESP staff have been in secretarial support positions in the district for eight or more years and the members of LWESP believe that this dedication deserves fair compensation.

Your child’s teacher is the classroom point of contact between the LWSD and the community. Supporting teachers and the students is a group of highly trained and dedicated professionals. From payroll and data processors to school secretaries and office managers, every child’s education is a team effort.

Lake Washington School District needs to pay their Educational Support Professionals (ESPs) fair wages in order to attract and retain quality school employees in all job categories. 

Teachers need competent, professional support to help them continue doing quality work and parents need to know that the safety and well-being of their children is in the hands of competent professionals. 

Sheila Nokes, past president of LWESP